CWRU Travel Bloghttp://blog.case.edu/travel/
Travel Services and News by Michael Kurutzen-usMon, 12 Jan 2015 12:29:14 ESTMon, 12 Jan 2015 12:29:14 ESTmichael.kurutz@case.edumichael.kurutz@case.eduhttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssMovable Type v3.121IRS Changes 2015 Mileage Rate http://blog.case.edu/travel/2015/01/12/irs_changes_2015_mileage_rate
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service has increased the standard rate for personal vehicle use in 2015. The new rate for...http://blog.case.edu/travel/2015/01/12/irs_changes_2015_mileage_ratecasecwruCase WesternCase Western Reserve UniversityMon, 12 Jan 2015 12:29:14 ESTThe U.S. Internal Revenue Service has increased the standard rate for personal vehicle use in 2015. The new rate for business travel is 57.5 cents per mile. This new rate, effective for travel on or after January 1, will be calculated automatically for reimbursements in the CWRU PeopleSoft Travel and Expense Module. Mileage reimbursements for the 2014 calendar year will remain at the old rate of 56 cents per mile. The IRS standard mileage rate for business travel is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile.]]>CWRU Enterprise Carshare Specialhttp://blog.case.edu/travel/2014/09/04/cwru_enterprise_carshare_special
Now there's extra reason to get out there! Hourly rentals of CWRU's Enterprise Carshare vehicles are now at a...http://blog.case.edu/travel/2014/09/04/cwru_enterprise_carshare_specialcasecwruCase WesternCase Western Reserve UniversityThu, 04 Sep 2014 11:46:06 EST

Now there's extra reason to get out there! Hourly rentals of CWRU's Enterprise Carshare vehicles are now at a special price of $5/hour+tax through the end of October (standard hourly rates start at $8/hour).

New student members will receive a $35 membership credit to offset the annual membership fee of $35. Carshare vehicles can also be rented overnight (starting at $35 weekdays) and daily (starting at $56 weekdays). Prices include gasoline and up to 200 free miles per day. State of Ohio minimum insurance coverage is also included for those without insurance (see Enterprise Carshare website for details). These great rates make a short drive to pick up furniture or a long weekend trip with friends easier than ever. Sign up today!

]]>IRS Adjusts Business Mileage for 2014http://blog.case.edu/travel/2014/01/03/irs_adjusts_business_mileage_for_2014
The Internal Revenue Service has announced a change in the business mileage rate allowed for personal vehicles for 2014....http://blog.case.edu/travel/2014/01/03/irs_adjusts_business_mileage_for_2014casecwruCase WesternCase Western Reserve UniversityFri, 03 Jan 2014 10:42:35 EST

The Internal Revenue Service has announced a change in the business mileage rate allowed for personal vehicles for 2014. All travel on or after January 1 will be set at 56 cents/mile. CWRU reimbursements for personal vehicle use will mirror this new rate for approved business-related travel commencing on January 1. Rates for mileage travelled in 2013 will remain at 56.5 cents.

]]>Local Hotel Rates To Rise in 2014http://blog.case.edu/travel/2013/12/31/local_hotel_rates_to_rise_in_2014
It's been a happy 2013 for Cleveland-area hotel properties. Occupancies are up by almost 7% through November. Many downtown hotels...http://blog.case.edu/travel/2013/12/31/local_hotel_rates_to_rise_in_2014Hotel PartnerscasecwruCase WesternCase Western Reserve UniversityTue, 31 Dec 2013 13:07:57 ESTIt's been a happy 2013 for Cleveland-area hotel properties. Occupancies are up by almost 7% through November. Many downtown hotels have boasted stellar weekday occupancy and sold-out weekends into the typically slow fall season. At University Circle, the new Courtyard opened in April and has exceeded expectations. While the area lost the Cleveland Clinic Guest House in 2013, a new 300-room Holiday Inn property was announced for Euclid Avenue. Plans call for its completion in 2015.

With the recovering local economy and the gradual ramp-up of the new Cleveland Convention Center, occupancy will continue to trend up strongly in 2014. Room rates will march upward in lockstep with these higher occupancies.

There is, however, good news for everyone in the CWRU community. Our year-on-year negotiated rates are at a considerable discount to most hotel standard ("rack") rates throughout the area. With this lower starting point, actual CWRU rate increases will be modest. Overall, CWRU Cleveland-area hotel rates represent an excellent value compared to similar properties in other major metro areas.

Visit the CWRU Travel Services website (www.case.edu/travel/) in early January to view the new 2014 rates. In the meantime, here is a sampling (standard room per night, not including applicable taxes):

]]>CWRU Family, Alumni, and Friends Travel Discountshttp://blog.case.edu/travel/2013/09/21/cwru_family_alumni_and_friends_travel_discounts
There are travel perks galore for those connected with CWRU past and present. All you need to know is...http://blog.case.edu/travel/2013/09/21/cwru_family_alumni_and_friends_travel_discountsCarsharingcardiscountshotelrentalcasecwruCase WesternCase Western Reserve UniversitySat, 21 Sep 2013 14:46:06 EST

There are travel perks galore for those connected with CWRU past and present. All you need to know is where to find them!

Are you planning a family vacation from Minneapolis to Salt Lake or taking a spin around Italy and need a rental car? Use our National Car rental code! In the Cleveland area, CWRU's Enterprise CarShare program offers the flexibility of campus-based vehicle rentals by the hour, overnight, and by the day with no gasoline charges and up to 200 free miles per day for CWRU students and staff.

If you're traveling to Cleveland to visit a student or have some relatives you can't fit into your northeast Ohio establishment, there's an array of local discounted hotel rates at University Circle, Downtown, and suburban location. Traveling across the U.S. or overseas? There are even more lodging options. Check out CWRU partner pricing from Wyndham, Starwood, and Extended Stay America lodging chains.

At an airport or need transport for a special guest? CWRU's newest travel partner, GroundLink, can provide an array of car hire options.

To learn more, visit www.cwru.edu/travel/. You can also call Michael Kurutz, CWRU Travel Services Manager, at 216-368-6092 to get the scoop on these and other great deals.

Need convenient, pre-arranged service for airport pick-up in Cleveland, Los Angeles, or Amsterdam? CWRU's new car service partner, GroundLink, can do that and more. GroundLink offers guaranteed on-time performance, global availability in 110 countries, and a 5% CWRU discount on top of industry-leading rates. GroundLink delivers the added convenience of pricing that includes driver gratuities and the added flexibility of four different levels of service. CWRU travelers can book transport via telephone, Internet, or the company's award-winning mobile app.

Need a reasonably-priced apartment-style room for a few days to a few months? Extended Stay America (ESA) makes a great option with fully-equipped kitchens, free internet, flat-screen televisions, grab-and-go breakfasts, and on-site laundry facilities. The company also rates in the top 1/3 in customer service ranking for all lodging properties according to Medallia Feedback Management Inc.

"Extended Stay America gives our many travelers a value option when needing multiple-week and multi-month stays," according CWRU Travel Manager Michael Kurutz. "ESA's extensive U.S. network of properties can meet our research and leisure needs in a variety of destinations."

Now, ESA's reasonable pricing has just gotten better for CWRU staff, students, alumni, friends, and families. Using the CWRU corporate discount code, travelers will get an extra 8% dynamic discount off of ESA's already competitive rates through 2013. Click here to get the discount booking code on the CWRU Travel Services website.

]]>Car Sharing Expands to CIA, CIM Studentshttp://blog.case.edu/travel/2013/09/06/car_sharing_expands_to_cia_cim_students
CWRU's Enterprise CarShare Program has now expanded to include students from the Cleveland Institute of Art and the Cleveland Institute...http://blog.case.edu/travel/2013/09/06/car_sharing_expands_to_cia_cim_studentsCar SharingcasecwruCase WesternCase Western Reserve UniversityFri, 06 Sep 2013 18:59:30 ESTCWRU's Enterprise CarShare Program has now expanded to include students from the Cleveland Institute of Art and the Cleveland Institute of Music. "Given their affiliations with CWRU, it was an organic extension of the CWRU carshare program" said CWRU Travel manager Michael Kurutz. "Many CIA and CIM students need an easy, cost-effective, short-term transportation option. Enterprise Carshare is a great solution."

CIA and CIM students have their own signup pages at www.enterprisecarshare.com and enjoy the same great rates (hourly, overnight, daily) as CWRU students and staff. CIA and CIM members also will enjoy up to 200 free miles per day and no gasoline charges. Cars are conveniently positioned in the Veale Athletic Center garage and Lot 75 surface parking behind Mitchell's Ice Cream.

For a limited time, new members can enjoy a reduced $10 annual membership fee while receiving a $35 driving credit (through September 30th). Click here for the special offer code.

]]>WeCar Becomes Enterprise CarSharehttp://blog.case.edu/travel/2013/04/15/wecar_becomes_enterprise_carshare
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the company that owns WeCar, has changed the WeCar name to Enterprise CarShare. The official change occurred...http://blog.case.edu/travel/2013/04/15/wecar_becomes_enterprise_carshareCar SharingcasecwruCase WesternCase Western Reserve UniversityMon, 15 Apr 2013 15:54:50 EST

Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the company that owns WeCar, has changed the WeCar name to Enterprise CarShare. The official change occurred on April 15th. In the coming weeks, signage and website collateral will be transitioned to the new name.

“The broad-based brand recognition associated with Enterprise is a key reason behind the move” according to Michael Kurutz, Travel Services Manager at Case Western Reserve University. “With excellent growth in Enterprise's car sharing portfolio across the country, it’s a perfect time to consolidate what has become a confusing basket of smaller brand names into one well-known major car-share brand.”

Enterprise CarShare is a good alternative for students who want to lower the cost and hassle of individual car ownership. Unlike traditional rental companies, members of Enterprise CarShare can rent when they turn 18. Pricing for members starts at $8 per hour and $36 for an overnight rental. Gasoline and up to 200 miles per day are included. State minimum insurance is also included for members without coverage. Enterprise CarShare vehicles are parked on campus for quick access.

Kurutz said the CWRU program has grown to over 170 members in the first year. “While the WeCar name and graphics are changing, the company and its reliable, convenient rental product are staying the same. That's the best news of all."

Enterprise CarShare is now available at 70 universities across the U.S., as well as a number of U.S. municipalities.

]]>Travel Costs To Rise in 2013http://blog.case.edu/travel/2013/02/16/travel_costs_to_rise_in_2013
The cost of travel is projected to strongly increase in 2013. This is despite weaknesses in the U.S. economic recovery,...http://blog.case.edu/travel/2013/02/16/travel_costs_to_rise_in_2013Airline NewsCWRUClevelandTravel Industry AnalysishotelscasecwruCase WesternCase Western Reserve UniversitySat, 16 Feb 2013 14:51:34 ESTThe cost of travel is projected to strongly increase in 2013. This is despite weaknesses in the U.S. economic recovery, downturns in Latin America, slow growth in Asia, and continued flat to negative growth in Europe. In a white paper just released by the Global Business Travel Association, a survey of major U.S. corporate travel buyers indicated price rises that included:

• 4.6 percent in domestic economy airfare, to $429 per trip;
• 8.3 percent in international economy airfare, to $1,318 per trip;
• 3.7 percent for domestic hotel rates, to $161 per night; and
• 8 percent in international hotel rates, to $297 per night.

Pricing pressures are also being felt locally. Cleveland hotel room rates are edging up due to a stronger local economy and a shrinking CBD inventory. Two major properties, The Crown Plaza (converting to Westin in 2014) and Embassy Suites (converting to rental apartments) shut down in 2012. The Horseshoe Casino has also blocked significant room nights in the Renaissance Hotel, Marriott Key Center, and Ritz Carleton properties increasing demand in remaining hotels. In addition, strong forward booking for the new Cleveland convention center threatens to absorb new room inventory coming online in the next 36 months.

With years of depressed room pricing, Cleveland hoteliers are relieved to see broad sunlit uplands ahead. But remember, CWRU employees, students, and their families can still get relief with university-negotiated hotel rates. Visit the CWRU Travel Services website for preferred-vendor discount pricing.

]]>Beating The Rush At Southwesthttp://blog.case.edu/travel/2013/01/22/beating_the_rush_at_southwest
Airlines make a lot of money from ancillary fees. Add-ons for more leg room, checked bags, and wi-fi literally turn...http://blog.case.edu/travel/2013/01/22/beating_the_rush_at_southwestAirline NewscasecwruCase WesternCase Western Reserve UniversityTue, 22 Jan 2013 15:04:30 ESTAirlines make a lot of money from ancillary fees. Add-ons for more leg room, checked bags, and wi-fi literally turn airline balance sheets from red to black. U.S.-based carriers racked up an estimated $12.4 billion windfall from fees in 2012.

Swimming against the stream with its "Bags Fly Free" campaign, Southwest Airlines has differentiated itself from legacy competitors who charge non-elite customers for checked luggage. But rising labor costs and the purchase of new aircraft have put SWA under pressure to find additional ways to generate income.

The airline apparently is not sitting on its hands. While maintaining its free checked bag policy, SWA recently announced plans to allow travelers to purchase early boarding status. For $40 per flight, customers will have first crack at seats and empty overhead storage bins normally reserved for the carrier's elite frequent flyers. With some 3,300 departures per day, SWA is betting that a handful of eager early-borders on each flight will translate into a big infusion to its bottom line.

]]>AMEX To Upgrade Card Technologyhttp://blog.case.edu/travel/2012/10/12/amex_to_upgrade_card_technology
American Express has announced its intention to begin making so called "chip-and-PIN" cards available in the United States within...http://blog.case.edu/travel/2012/10/12/amex_to_upgrade_card_technologycasecwruCase WesternCase Western Reserve UniversityFri, 12 Oct 2012 10:07:30 EST

American Express has announced its intention to begin making so called "chip-and-PIN" cards available in the United States within a year. These new cards, widely used by European credit card holders, have improved security compared to the "slide-and-sign" cards typically issued in the United States. AMEX plans incentives for retailers to adopt acceptance devices for chip-and-PIN transcations beginning in October, 2013.

Rollout of the new AMEX cards will be a welcome relief for many Americans traveling abroad. While AMEX, VISA, and Mastercard merchants worldwide are required by contract to accept slide-and-sign cards, there are growing reports of consumer delay and frustration when transacting with this older generation of cards. Also, most automated transaction terminals in Europe accept only chip-and-PIN cards. These terminals are typically found in locations such as public transit centers, toll booths, and 24-hour gas stations.

AMEX has piloted chip-and-PIN cards in Canada and is currently running a small pilot program in the United States. Broader availability of the new card is expected by mid-2013. Contact Michael Kurutz in Travel Services for updates on chip-and-PIN availability for the CWRU AMEX Travel and Expense Card.

]]>Full T&E Module Implementation Begins June 1sthttp://blog.case.edu/travel/2012/05/29/full_te_module_implementation_begins_june_1st
Thursday May 31st will be the final day to generate CWRU paper-based travel and expense reimbursement requests. Beginning Friday...http://blog.case.edu/travel/2012/05/29/full_te_module_implementation_begins_june_1stcasecwruCase WesternCase Western Reserve UniversityTue, 29 May 2012 07:43:43 EST

Thursday May 31st will be the final day to generate CWRU paper-based travel and expense reimbursement requests. Beginning Friday June 1st, all student and employee reimbursement requests will be generated via the new PeopleSoft Travel and Expense Module. Physical receipts for the new module will be stored in the originating department/school instead of mailed to Accounts Payable. For updates and more information, visit the Travel Services T&E Module Page.

Fuel Pressure
Airlines spent 37% more on jet fuel in 2011 than in 2010, but still turned a profit. This was due to the industry's success in passing along higher costs as surcharges and outright airfare increases. A recent Continental/United RT from Cleveland to London Heathrow via Newark is an example. The itinerary was advertised at $580, but when taxes, fees, and surcharges were added, the price tag reached $870. Airfares themselves were up 15-20% in 2011.

Low-Cost Destinations
Inexpensive destinations from Cleveland still include Baltimore-Washington (BWI) and Chicago-O'Hare (ORD). Roundtrips to these airports can be as low as $130 including tax. Florida destinations also are bargains. Pre-tax RT fares on Continental-United to Orlando (MCO)begin at $218. Fort Lauderdale (FLL), an alternate destination to the Miami airport, has some February-March flights starting at $228 plus taxes and fees.

Changing Changes
There was a time when airlines adjusted schedules and equipment once per quarter. Now changes occur more frequently. For example, the Cleveland-San Francisco (SFO) route on weekdays is adjusting from one 125-passenger 737-700 aircraft per day to two 124-passenger A319s to two larger 737s all in the span of just two months. Also, watch for daily frequency changes on the popular Cleveland - Chicago-O'Hare route. Frequency goes from a maximum of 11 weekday flights to as few as two per day on the weekends.

-Michael Kurutz

]]>The Season for Car Rental Savingshttp://blog.case.edu/travel/2011/11/29/the_season_for_car_rental_savings
High-demand holiday and warm weather vacation destinations such as Florida and Arizona play havoc with personal and business travel...http://blog.case.edu/travel/2011/11/29/the_season_for_car_rental_savingscasecwruCase WesternCase Western Reserve UniversityTue, 29 Nov 2011 17:52:24 EST

High-demand holiday and warm weather vacation destinations such as Florida and Arizona play havoc with personal and business travel budgets. It's a relief to know CWRU preferred vendor car rental contracts can help.

I was reminded of the value of our National Car Rental contract when recently booking a February trip to south Florida. The CWRU rate code saved over $300 on a weekly minivan rental in Fort Lauderdale! Even better, most discount coupons found on the National website can now be added to our CWRU corporate rate for even greater savings.

For those preferring an option to National or Enterprise Car Rental, Avis is offering CWRU travelers 30% off standard rates with the Avis CWRU discount code.